Cookie Policy

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your device (computer, smartphone, or tablet) when you visit our website or use our mobile application. They help us remember your preferences, understand how you use our Service, and provide you with a better, more personalized experience.

1.1 Similar Technologies

In addition to cookies, we use similar technologies including:

• Web beacons: Tiny graphics that help us understand user behavior
• Local storage: Browser storage for larger amounts of data
• Session storage: Temporary storage that expires when you close your browser
• Mobile identifiers: Device-specific identifiers for app functionality
• Pixels: Code snippets that collect information about your visit

2. Types of Cookies We Use

2.1 Essential Cookies

2.2 Performance and Analytics Cookies

2.3 Functionality Cookies

2.4 Targeting and Advertising Cookies

3. First-Party vs. Third-Party Cookies

3.1 First-Party Cookies (Set by Flin)

These cookies are set directly by Flintime Inc. and are used to operate our Service:

• flin_session: Maintains your login session
• flin_preferences: Stores your app settings and preferences
• flin_cart: Remembers items in your shopping cart
• flin_location: Stores your campus/city for local offers
• flin_analytics: Tracks usage for app improvement

3.2 Third-Party Cookies

We work with trusted partners who may set their own cookies:

Important: Third-party cookies are governed by the privacy policies of these external companies. We encourage you to review their policies to understand how they handle your data.

4. How We Use Cookie Information

4.1 Service Improvement

• Feature development: Understand which features students use most
• Bug fixes: Identify and resolve technical issues
• Performance optimization: Make the app faster and more reliable
• User experience: Design more intuitive interfaces
• Mobile optimization: Improve app performance on different devices

4.2 Personalization

• Content recommendations: Suggest relevant marketplace items
• Local offers: Show deals and events near your campus
• Search improvements: Better search results based on your interests
• Housing matches: More relevant housing recommendations
• Event suggestions: Campus events that match your interests

4.3 Security and Fraud Prevention

• Account protection: Detect unusual login patterns
• Transaction security: Prevent fraudulent marketplace activities
• Bot detection: Identify and block automated abuse
• Spam prevention: Reduce fake listings and scam attempts
• Student verification: Ensure platform integrity

4.4 Communication

• Notification preferences: Remember how you want to be contacted
• Email customization: Send relevant updates and offers
• Push notification targeting: Send timely, relevant app notifications
• Marketing personalization: Share information about features you might like

5. Managing Your Cookie Preferences

5.1 Flin Cookie Settings

You can manage your cookie preferences through your Flin account settings:

5.2 Browser Cookie Controls

You can also manage cookies through your web browser settings:

5.3 Mobile App Settings

For our mobile app, you can control data collection through:

• App permissions: Control access to location, contacts, and other data
• Push notifications: Choose which notifications you receive
• Analytics opt-out: Disable usage tracking in app settings
• Advertising ID: Reset or opt out of targeted advertising

5.4 Third-Party Opt-Outs

You can opt out of third-party tracking through these resources:

• Google Analytics: Google Analytics Opt-out
• Facebook: Facebook Ad Preferences
• Digital Advertising Alliance: AdChoices Opt-out
• Network Advertising Initiative: NAI Opt-out

6. Impact of Disabling Cookies

6.1 Essential Functionality

• Login issues: You may need to log in repeatedly
• Cart problems: Items may not stay in your shopping cart
• Preference loss: Settings and preferences won't be saved
• Security risks: Reduced protection against fraud and abuse

6.2 Reduced Personalization

• Generic content: Less relevant marketplace recommendations
• Location issues: May not show local offers and events
• Search problems: Less accurate search results
• Repetitive ads: May see the same advertisements repeatedly

6.3 Performance Impact

• Slower loading: Pages may load more slowly
• Technical issues: Some features may not work properly
• Mobile problems: App performance may be affected

7. Student Privacy Protections

7.1 FERPA Compliance

As a platform serving students, we're mindful of educational privacy laws:

• Educational records: We don't collect or store official academic records
• Student verification: Verification data is processed securely and not retained
• Campus information: General campus affiliation only, not specific academic details
• Parent rights: For students under 18, parents may request information about cookie usage

7.2 Age-Appropriate Practices

• 17+ requirement: Our Service is designed for students 17 and older
• Campus-appropriate content: Cookies help ensure age-appropriate advertising
• Academic integrity: We don't use cookies to facilitate academic dishonesty
• Student safety: Cookie data helps us identify and prevent harmful behavior

7.3 Graduation Transition

When students graduate, we handle cookie data appropriately:

• Account transition: Cookies continue to work for 2 years post-graduation
• Data retention: Cookie preferences are maintained during transition period
• Content adjustment: Advertising gradually shifts from student-focused to general

8. International Considerations

8.1 Cross-Border Data Transfers

Cookie data may be transferred to and processed in countries other than the US:

• Service providers: Some analytics and service providers are based internationally
• Data protection: We ensure appropriate safeguards for international transfers
• EU students: GDPR protections apply to EU students studying in the US
• Standard clauses: We use standard contractual clauses for international transfers

8.2 State-Specific Rights

Depending on your state, you may have additional rights regarding cookies:

• California (CCPA): Right to know what information is collected via cookies
• Virginia (VCDPA): Right to opt out of certain cookie-based processing
• Connecticut (CTDPA): Similar rights to Virginia residents
• Other states: Additional state privacy laws may apply

9. Cookie Security

9.1 Security Measures

We implement strong security measures to protect cookie data:

• Encryption: Sensitive cookie data is encrypted during transmission
• Secure flags: Cookies use secure transmission protocols
• HTTPOnly: Many cookies are marked HTTPOnly to prevent JavaScript access
• SameSite: Cookies include SameSite attributes for cross-site protection
• Regular audits: We regularly review and update cookie security practices

9.2 Data Minimization

• Necessary data only: We only collect cookie data needed for specific purposes
• Retention limits: Cookies expire based on their purpose and legal requirements
• Regular cleanup: Unused or expired cookie data is automatically deleted
• Purpose limitation: Cookie data is only used for stated purposes

9.3 Incident Response

In the unlikely event of a security incident involving cookie data:

• Immediate response: We take immediate action to secure affected systems
• User notification: Affected users are notified according to legal requirements
• Regulatory reporting: We report incidents to relevant authorities as required
• Preventive measures: We implement additional safeguards to prevent future incidents

10. Changes to This Cookie Policy

10.1 Policy Updates

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements:

• Regular reviews: We review this policy annually or when practices change
• User notification: Material changes will be communicated via email or app notification
• Effective dates: Changes take effect 30 days after notification
• Consent updates: You may need to update your cookie preferences after major changes

10.2 Version History

We maintain a history of policy changes for transparency:

• Current version: September 10, 2025
• Previous versions: Available upon request
• Change log: Summary of modifications provided with updates

11. Contact Us About Cookies

If you have questions about our use of cookies or want to exercise your rights:

We will respond to cookie-related inquiries within 30 days. For urgent privacy concerns, include "URGENT" in your subject line.